The San Antonio Missions

On July 5, 2015, the World Heritage Committee inscribed San Antonio’s five Spanish colonial Missions on the World Heritage List. From 1718 to 1731, priests of the Franciscan Order established the San Antonio Missions. The Spanish government and the Catholic Church sent priests to Texas (then part of New Spain) to settle and protect territory claimed by the Spanish Crown. No permanent Spanish settlements existed in the area prior to the construction of the Missions. The priests were responsible [...]

The Mission
The first primitive capilla (chapel) was built out of brush and mud. Eventually a campanile, or “bell tower” containing two bells was incorporated into the structure, which was replaced by a long granary with a flat roof and an attractive belfry around 1756.In around 1760 construction of a larger church building begun on the east side of the Mission compound, but was never completed due to the lack [...]

Mission Concepcion

Franciscan friars established Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña (also Mission Concepcion) in 1716 as Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de los Hainais in East Texas. The mission was originally meant to be a base for converting the Hasinai to Catholicism and teaching them what they needed to know to become Spanish citizens. The friars moved the mission in 1731 to San Antonio. After its relocation most of the people in the mission were Pajalats [...]

Mission San José

Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is a historic Catholic mission in San Antonio, Texas, United States. The mission was named in part for the Marquis de San Miguel de Aguayo, José de Azlor y Virto de Vera. Many buildings on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, borrow architectural elements from those found at Mission San José.

Museums

The San Antonio museums do an absolutely amazing job showcasing the rich heritage that San Antonio consists of. And let’s just face it, museums are cool! Your friends will all be jealous when you update your social media feeds with the amazing museums that you have visited in San Antonio. History Buffs get ready!

Caliente Hot Glass Studio is a place where glassblowers can practice and hone their art with full artistic freedom to collaborate, explore, and grow. We are also a place where the community, individuals, and companies can come learn about this ancient art [...]

San Antonio Fire Museum

The San Antonio Fire Museum is, and probably always will be, a “work in progress.” Volunteers are constantly working to add new displays, including more antique trucks that we have acquired. These trucks sometimes take months (or sometimes, years) to restore and prepare for exhibition.

What began as a dream of 5 firefighters assigned together at old #19’s station in 1997, the Museum finally found a home in the former “Central Fire [...]

The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio is free and open to the public. Walk-in visitors are invited to enjoy a self-guided tour, while scheduled groups of 15 of more are taken on docent-led tours and offered the chance to [...]

The Institute of Texan Cultures features exhibits, programs and special events that examine and promote heritage, ethnicity, history, social issues and popular culture. Visitors learn the stories of immigrants who settled in Texas and contributed to its modern, multicultural society. Located [...]

Marise McDermott was appointed as President and CEO of the Witte Museum in 2004 to usher in a new era of growth for the Witte Museum. Under McDermott the Witte Museum has made great strides in expanding the facility and continuing the standards set by [...]